If you're confident that you are indeed dealing with an instance of online defamation, there are several steps you can take to remedy the situation. Do Nothing. Collect Evidence. Get a Lawyer. Send a Cease and Desist Letter. Publish Your Own Statement. Sue for Defamation.
The answer is yes, but you have to meet each of the four legal elements that define defamation of character. Your lawyer also has to present convincing evidence not only that the defendant made defamatory statements on Facebook but also that the statement has damaged your personal and/or professional reputation.
You can complain to Facebook about the defamatory statements, for all the good it might do. Otherwise, if you can prove that the business knows the statements to be false and is making them with malice (Ie the intent to materially damage you), that's libel and you have some legal remedies available to you.
To be guilty of slander, the accused must have made these statements orally, such as through making false statements on the radio or TV, making false claims in a Facebook livestream or posted video, or spreading untrue claims about a person at work.
Section 2739.01 | Libel and slander. In an action for a libel or slander, it is sufficient to state, generally, that the defamatory matter was published or spoken of the plaintiff. If the allegation is denied, the plaintiff must prove the facts, showing that the defamatory matter was published or spoken of him.
Use the Find Support or Report link to report it to them. They should act on it, but it may take some time. Often, FB outright bans the individual or warns them, first.
If the defamed person has no actual economic loss, the maximum awardable for injury to reputation and humiliation is $250,000.
Section 2739.01 | Libel and slander. In an action for a libel or slander, it is sufficient to state, generally, that the defamatory matter was published or spoken of the plaintiff. If the allegation is denied, the plaintiff must prove the facts, showing that the defamatory matter was published or spoken of him.
Ohio Defamation Law: To Win You Need To Prove That… The defendant has either published or broadcast the statement in question. The false statement was about you, the plaintiff. The statement caused harm to the plaintiff's reputation. The published statement was negligently made and merits no privileges.
To prove defamation in Ohio, a plaintiff must show that a defendant was at least negligent concerning the truth or falsity of their statement, meaning the defendant did not act with the reasonable or ordinary care a person would exercise in similar circumstances.